THINK 2030

#Think2030, launched on October 17th and 18th, 2018, is an evidence-based, non-partisan platform consisting of 100 leading policy experts from European think tanks, civil society, the private sector and local authorities.

#Think2030’s key objective is to identify science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe.

The #Think2030 report, 30X30 actions for a sustainable Europe
, is based on a series of papers covering all major European sustainability challenges. With Europe needing to reduce its resource use by 80% per capita by 2050, the report maps out how EU policies can help to address this transition while delivering more prosperous, peaceful and healthy lives for EU citizens.

We are very pleased that a number of Members of the European Parliament - across parties - as well as Member State Ministers, high-level European officials and academics are already engaged in the #Think2030 process.

THINK 2030 VOICES

As part of #Think2030, we reached out to a number of policy-makers, EU officials, and other stakeholders. Here are their takes on science-policy solutions for a sustainable Europe.

Just transition, sustainable consumption and production, climate, biodiversity, oceans, plastics, the way we consume, the way we produce water, droughts, fires, are key words that should be thought and anticipated in time to provide the right answers.

And #Think2030, bringing together the think tanks of Europe, is absolutely key to succeed.

Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Minister for the Ecological Transition of Spain.

Our old perception is of a linear model of growth with limitless natural resources. Our economic theory revolves around this impression of a boundless universe. We have to learn to understand, appreciate and preserve the limited amount of resources available and accept natural boundaries.

Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of the European Parliament – European People's Party, Finland

The EU can lead the way to a green era and living well within the limits of the planet.

Hans Bruyninckx, Director of the European Environmental Agency

We need to foster ownership for a 2050 vision and 2030 implementation across Member States, the regional and global level.

Lola Vallejo, Climate Programme Director, IDDRI

A concerted effort is required by policy makers, businesses and individuals, to change not only what we consume, but how, how much, and why.

Mia Pantzar, Policy Analyst, IEEP

A central idea during my session was the issue of a paradigm shift. SDGs are universal. Everyone embraces the idea of SDGs but it is often lost when we go into details. We need to take sustainability serious; the SDGs provide a framework to do so.

Ruben Zondervan, Executive Director, Stakeholder Forum

Politicians must face a simple truth: a thriving future for Europe and its citizens is not possible on a depleted planet.

Ester Asin, Director, WWF EPO

Both EU revenues and expenditures need to be aligned towards the same goal – the decarbonisation of the European economy.

Eero Yrjo-Koskinen, Executive Director, Green Budget Europe

IEEP and its #Think2030 partners hope to continue helping to inform debates throughout 2019, ahead of the next European Parliament Elections and the formation of the next European Commission, and beyond. If you would like to get involved with the platform, please contact ekollenda@ieep.eu.